CHAPTER 70

William Melrose paused for a moment just outside of the door, taking in the scene before him. His wife had finally relinquished her role as caregiver, at least momentarily, and was now sleeping on one of the beds. Francine was sitting on a chair near Amanda's bed, obviously so she could talk quietly to her coworker.

But it was Lee's actions that caught the attention of the Section Chief. He was gently dabbing a wet cloth on Amanda's face and wearing that worrisome look that always had appeared when Lee presumed Amanda to be in danger.

Francine looked up at her boss, her nose slightly red and a tissue in her hand.

Billy glanced towards Amanda and Francine slipped quietly out of her chair to walk over to the doorway.

"Her fever climbed back up a little," she offered as way of explanation.

"Serious?"

"Kelford doesn't think so, he said it was low-grade."

"I see," Billy said. He then paused to clear his own throat. "I need to talk to Lee," he told his assistant in as low of a voice that he could muster.

One look at the Section Chief's face told Desmond that it had to be serious. She walked back over to Lee and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

It was obvious from Lee's face that he didn't want to leave Amanda's side, but Francine quietly told him that she'd sit with her.

Lee stood up slowly, his hazel eyes never straying from the sight of his sleeping wife. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before finally walking out of the room.

Something in his gut told him that this couldn't be good.

He followed his Section Chief down the hallway, the boss unmistakably wanting to ensure that they were out of hearing range.

Billy cleared his throat again before speaking.

"I just received word that Phillip and Joe are en route to the hospital via Medevac."

Lee's eyes widened at that one.

"Serious?"

"Joyce reported that they're both very sick," Billy informed him.

"Jamie?" Lee asked quickly.

"He's with Leatherneck and Beaman in the Bronco. Apparently, he hadn't developed any symptoms. Claudia felt that it was better if he wasn't in the chopper for this trip."

Lee began to pace in a small circle, shaking his head at the implications of Billy's words.

"Somebody should be with Phillip, he can't be alone Billy. He needs to have someone there."

Billy reached out and placed a hand on Lee's arm.

"I know. I've arranged for a driver to take you. I was hoping that Amanda might have been up to going as well."

Lee shook his head quickly.

"No, no," he responded quickly. "She's too sick. I know she'd want to be there, but she can't."

"The driver's down in the garage, waiting for you."

"Give me a minute, would ya?"

"Of course," he told the younger man.

Lee walked back into the room, trying very hard to conceal his emotions behind the mask that had always served him so well. He could recall a time, a lifetime ago it seemed, when it had been so easy to cover it all with the persona of Scarecrow and hide what he was feeling from everyone else in the world.

From the look in Francine's eyes, his told trick must not be working so well.

She quickly stood up and crossed over to him, concern written on her exhausted face.

"Lee?"

Instead of saying anything, he tugged her arm and pulled her out into the hallway.

"They, ah…they're bringing Phillip and Joe in by Medevac," he whispered.

"That bad?" she asked with disbelief.

Lee nodded.

"Look, I…I need to be there for them. Phillip shouldn't be left alone, he needs to have someone there."

"What about Jamie?"

Lee actually chuckled.

"He seems fine. He's with the fellas, driving back down from Pennsylvania."

"He'll be scarred for life," Francine told him in a gentle teasing voice.

Lee brought his hand up and rubbed his throbbing forehead.

"I should tell Manda," he said.

"Lee," Francine began, "she's asleep. Look, you don't know much, other than they're sick. Go find out first. You wouldn't want her to worry needlessly, would you?"

"This is her son, Francine."

"I know, I know," she told him.

Francine reached for both of Lee's hands, clasping them in hers.

"They're going to be fine," she told him. "Amanda's going to be fine. You'll see."

"I want to believe that, but…shit Francine," he said as he paced a few steps away from her and then back again. "You know what's it like when you're out there in the field and you've got everything planned down to when everyone breathes and you get that gut instinct?"

"Lee, you're tired, you're sick, you worried. That's all that it is," she tried to pacify him.

"I don't think so," he told her. "Look, I…I need to go. Billy's arranged for a driver. I want to be at the hospital by the time they get there."

"I'll look after Amanda," she told him.

"And who will look after you, huh? After all, we're a pretty sickly bunch right now."

She gave him that Desmond smile.

"I can look after myself. Go on, you've got a son who needs you."

"Don't tell her," Lee said.

"Me? Divulge classified information? I've never done that in my whole career."

Lee accepted her bait and she was rewarded by a smile. A smile, that no matter how small, was still a smile.

"You haven't, huh?"

She shook her head, her ponytail swishing about as she denied the question.

"Nope," she told him.

"We'll talk about that some other time, loose lips."

"Yeah, we will. About the same time you talk to me about what really goes on in the Q-Bureau when the door is locked."

"Touché," Lee said.

With that, Stetson turned and walked down the corridor, going to meet who knew what?

Francine pressed the palms of her hands together, than brought them up to her mouth. She tapped her fingers together a few times, then turned to go back into the room.

She knew perfectly well the feeling that Lee had just described. It was the one that foretold of everything going to hell in a hand basket. What she hadn't told him was that she felt the very same way. She could only pray that they were both wrong. Totally and absolutely wrong.